Mulvaney on the spending bill: The video

At a press briefing yesterday OMB Director Mick Mulvaney defended the omnibus spending deal for the remainder of FY 2017 reached with Democrats to avert a so-called “government shutdown” (video below, about 7 minutes). Mulvaney made the same points I heard from White House Director of Legislative Affairs Marc Short early Monday evening, but he responded in particular to the crowing of the Democrats about their victories in the deal. Mulvaney’s remarks — arguing points on which the administration prevailed — also respond to the complaints of conservatives regarding the deal.

Mulvaney is a pro who knows what he’s talking about. He is a great spokesman for the administration. This is worth a close look.

A friend points out that the somewhere in its 1,665 pages the spending bill funds the dreadful Eisenhower Memorial. That represents a symbolic defeat for good taste and American history with respect to which even the capable Mick Mulvaney would have a hard time mounting a defense.

Quotable quote: “What they really didn’t get is this. They wanted a shutdown. We know that. They were desperate to make this administration look like we couldn’t function, like we couldn’t govern. And we know that a large part of their base, especially their left-wing base, wanted a shutdown and certainly didn’t want them to cut a deal with us. That’s why I think you’re seeing them crowing about their success — is in order to cover up the fact that they actually cut a deal with President Trump and President Trump did a tremendous job.”